Understanding and defining nature-based integration

Based on the similarities and experiences across the practices we make a first attempt to define nature-based integration, by combining theory of integration with nature-nature-based practices focusing on the rela-tion to nature and the empowerment of immigrants.

The essential lesson learned from the practical examples is that nature-based integration is about both nature itself and nature as a base for empowering the immigrants to take part in their new society. The definition aims at gaining a better understanding of what is at stake in nature-based integration. Finally, we will analyse the practices according to the definition.

4.1 Combining theory of integration with nature-based solutions

The essential lesson learned from the practical examples is that nature-based integration is about both nature itself and nature as a base for empowering the immigrants to take part in their new society. Based on the similarities and experiences across the practices we make a first attempt to define nature-based integration. The definition aims at gaining a better understanding of what is at stake in nature-based integration. Further, the definition can be used as an inspiration for future initiatives.

When immigrants arrive to settle in a new country they have to secure a place in their new society – both in the physical sense and in the social and cultural sense (Penninx, 2009). Integration is a two-way process in which immigrants and the majority population negotiate, adjust and evolve hereby shap-ing the structure of society. Accordshap-ing to Berry (1997, p. 10) “integration can only be ‘freely’ chosen, and successfully pursued by non-dominant groups when the dominant society is open and inclusive in its orientation towards cultural diversity”. Integration can differentiated into four basic forms: structural, cultural, interactive and identificational integration (Esser, 1999). Structural integration refers to the access people have to common resources and main institutions of society such as labour, education, health services or natural areas and recreation opportunities. Cultural integration refers to acquisition of both knowledge and competences regarding cultural aspects, common practices, general rules of behav-iour, things that enable individuals to navigate in the society. Friendships, partnerships, and other social aspects characterize the interactive integration, which refers to the inclusion of immigrants into the pri-mary networks and relationships of society. Lastly, identificational integration refers to a sense of be-longing to the new society in terms of emotional bonds to other groups or places. These four basic forms can be used to assess the role of nature in integration (see Table 4).

Table 4. Overview of Esser’s four basic forms of integration linked to nature-based integration

Structural Integration Cultural Integration Interactive Integration Identificational integration Integration Access to common

re-sources and main institu-tions of society (Labour, education, health services and natural areas including recreation opportunities) Providing knowledge about society in order to being capable to make use of them new-comer to navigate in society

Friendship partnerships and other social aspects Inclusion of immigrants into primary networks and relationships of society

Sense of belonging to the new society Emotional bonds to other groups and places.

Relation to nature and empowerment of immi-grants

Nature-based practices should:

Promote access to nature Reinforce employment or language skills by providing training customs and use of nature

Transfer general knowledge which in other ways could be hard to verbalize or teach (learning by immi-grants and other local native citizens. experiences of the new country

Develop the immigrants sense of belonging and place attachment to new country and every-day environment Nature-based

integra-tion Capabilities in terms of

new skills within e.g.

nature management.

Further, improving physi-cal, mental and social health.

Capabilities in terms of knowledge, learning about access etc.

Interaction with local

inhabitants Building up sense of belonging to the place by gaining familiarity with local nature and customs. Further, activities should give the migrant good expe-riences, which can promote both sense of belonging and place attachment.

As Table 4 illustrates, nature-based integration is as much about being out in the nature and nature itself as about building the immigrants’ capabilities in becoming active members of the society. Hence, na-ture-based integration can be defined as the process in which an immigrant gets familiarized with the local environment, through activities that take place in a natural environment. Its basic pillars are building up identity, providing experiences and improving capabilities to empower the migrant to take part in the local society.

4.2. Analysing the practices according to the definition

In Table 5, we present an analysis of the 16 practices according to the definition of nature-based integra-tion menintegra-tioned above. We analyse the extent to which each of the practices contribute to these three pillars:

• Identity: Does the practice promote local participation in order to enhance social in-teraction, does the practice promote building of sense of place and connection to local environment.

• Experiences: What are the activities promoted by the practice, what kind of embodied and mental experiences are/can be gained from them?

• Capabilities: Does the practice promote building of institutional capabilities of immi-grants. Focus is here on three different capabilities: job skills, education/learning and health.

Table 5 shows that many of the practices already contribute to all of the three pillars. Sometimes the three pillars are embedded in the aims of the practice, but often the practices may contribute to them less intentionally. For instance, in terms of building of capabilities many practices aim at enhancing knowledge about Nordic nature. However, one of the aims “improving health and well-being” of the immigrants, is not always stated as an aim. Out of the three pillars’ the most challenging task seems to be the promotion of true social interaction between immigrants and locals and in many of the practices there is only a limited involvement by locals.

Table 5 Overview of the practices and their relationship to the three pillars of nature-based integration. Each prac-tice and its relationship is analysed and evaluated according to the three pillars: (-) not present in pracprac-tice; (+) pre-sent in practice to lesser degree; (++) prepre-sent in practice to high degree.

Country Practice

involvement What? Job Skills Education Health

1 DK

forests -/+ Conservation and

nature plan and arrange a variety of activities

gardens -/+ Establishment and

development of

Country Practice 1.

Identity 2.

Experience 3.

Capabilities

Name Where? Local

involvement What? Job Skills Education Health 7

FI ESIKOTO project

National

luonnossa project Nature near

urban areas - Outdoor activities + ++ + (excur-sions in the nearby nature)

Även-tyrsgrupp Urban and

rural areas - Different activities

in or about nature ++ ++ ++

16 SE Nature Conserva-tion and